Lamination stacking apparatus



Nov. 30, 1965 D. K. VOYECE ETAL 3,220,568

LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 1DONALD K. VOYCE MARSHALL K. HAMSON LAWRENCE R. SWEETSER EVERETT E. BATESINVENTORS ATTORNE Nov. 30, 1965 D. K. VOYCE ETAL 3,220,563

LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 L|DONALD K. VOYCE MARSHALL K.HAMSON #2 kc 'awtw INVENTORS 0 @M ATTORNEYNov. 30, 1965 D. K. VOYCE ETAL LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS 9Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 18, 1963 DONALD K. VOYCE MARSHALL K. HAMSONLAWRENCE R. SWEETSER EVERETT E. BATES INVENTORS BY (6 C M ATTORNE? Nov.30, 1965 D. K. VOYCE ETAL 3,220,563

LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 4FIG.4

DONALD K. VOYCE MARSHALL K. HAMSON LAWRENCE R. SWEETSER EVERETT E. BATESINVENTORS Q mgk ATTORNEY |IlIllIlllllllIlllllllllllllll Nov. 30, 1965 D.K. voYcE ETAL A 3,220,568

LAMINATION STAOKING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 24 Al A, I26 I24 m '30 I36 2 |22- i IIF 9O nul I) \lllll "IIIIII IZGWII. 4I24 7o fmfl FIG 6 DONALD K. voYcE MARSHALL K. HAMSON LAWRENCE R.SWEETSER EVERETT E. BATES INVENTORS BY QGJOA ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 D.K. VOYCE ETAL LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March18, 1963 DONALD K VOYCE MARSHALL K. HAMSON LAWRENCE R. SWEETSER EVERETTE. BATES INVENTORS BY Mfl 6 ATTORNEY D. K. VOYCE ETAL LAMINATIONSTAGKING APPARATUS Nov. 30, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 18, 1963DONALD K. VOYCE MARSHALL K. HAMSON LAWRENCE RSWEETSER EVERETT E. BATESINVENTORS ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 D. K. VOYCE ETAL 3,220,568

LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1963 9 Sheets-Sheet 8DONALD K. VOYCE MARS LL K. HAMSON LAWR C .SWEETSER EVERETT BATESINVENTOR S g cgk ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 D. K. VOYCE ETAL 3,220,553

LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS Filed March 18, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 9DONALD K. VOYCE MARSHALL K. HAMSON LAWRENCE R. SWEETSER EVERETT E. BATESINVENTOR S ATTORNEY FIG. I3

3,220,568 LAMINATION STACKING APPARATUS Donald K. Voyce, Peabody,Marshall K. Harrison, Marble. head, Lawrence R. Sweetser, Ipswich, andEverett E. Bates, Marbiehead, Mass, assignors to Sylvania ElectricProducts Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 18, 1963, Ser. No.265,787 4 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to the manufactureof electromagnetic inductors of the laminated core type and moreparticularly to those of the C configuration.

In the =co-pending application of O. H. Biggs et al., Serial No.764,588, filed October 1, 1958, entitled Method and Mechanism for theManufacture of Laminated Core Inductors, now US. Patent 3,096,805, thereis shown and described an improved method and apparatus for fabricatingfrom strip stock material bent metal strips of progressive sizessuitable for the laminations of C-type inductor cores. Moreparticularly, in one embodiment of that invention, one leg of each ofthe laminations is longer than the other and, when these laminations areassembled, alternate long and short legs of adjacent laminations aredisposed adjacent to one another.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to automaticallyassemble formed inductor core laminations.

Another object is to automatically assemble formed inductor corelaminations of the C-type.

A further object is to provide automatic means for stacking or nestingthe laminations formed in accordance with the teachings of thereferenced co-pending application.

These and other objects, advantages and features are attained inaccordance with the principles of this invention by locating alamination stacking apparatus adjacent to the output end of a laminationforming apparatus, the stacking apparatus including a stacking table anda lamination transfer assembly for transferring laminations from theoutput end of the lamination forming apparatus to the stacking table ofthe stacking apparatus. The lamination transfer assembly includesreciprocative jaws for effecting this transfer operation. Associatedtherewith is a lamination holding assembly for receiving the laminationsfrom the jaws of the lamination transfer assembly and holding them inproper position on the stacking table during the stacking or nestingoperation. Since the size of each lamination being stacked or nested onthe stacking table differs from the preceding one in increments whichare a function of the thickness of the stock, means are provided tocompensate therefor by effecting a corresponding displacement of thestacking table, the lamination transfer assembly and the laminationholding assembly after each lamination has been transferred and nested.This means comprises an increment head to which the lamination transferand holding assemblies are mechanically connected and a platform fromwhich the stacking table is indirectly supported and on which theincrement head rides. Means are provided for displacing the incrementhead horizontally and vertically a distance equal to the thickness ofthe stock after each lamination has been transferred to the stackingtable. Thus the jaws of the transfer assembly and the jaws of theholding assembly engage each succeeding lamination at the same relativelocation despite the continuing size changes of the work and thestacking table is being displaced downwardly so as to properly receiveeach new lamination. Since the corresponding legs of each succeedingnested lamination are alternately long and short, the locus of eachsucceeding lamination at the output end of the lamination formingapparatus will alternate between two different loci. The laminationstacking apparatus of this Sttes Patent invention includes means forautomatically regulating the length of the forward stroke of thetransfer jaws to make sure they pick up a lamination each time at theaforementioned alternating loci.

Referring now to the drawings wherein a specific embodiment of theapparatus of this invention is illustrated,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the lamination stackingapparatus.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the lamination stackingapparatus taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the lamination stacking apparatus taken alongthe lines 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the lamination stacking apparatuson an enlarged scale and partly in section, taken along the lines 4-4 ofFIGURE 2.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary details of the laminationstacking apparatus illustrating particularly the relative displacementof several of the major components thereof during the stacking ornesting of a plurality of laminations.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged end elevational view of the stroke adjustmentassembly associated with the lamination transfer assembly, and takenalong the line 7-7 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the stroke adjustment assembly ofFIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line 99of FIGURE 1, illustrating the ball screw shaft stop arm and associatedparts.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged perspective detail illustrat ing the mechanicalconnection of the stop arm to the increment head.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line11-11 of FIGURE 1, illustrating the ball screw drive assembly.

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of the ball screw drive assemblyof FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational detail of the core discharge assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGURE 1 thereof, theautomatic lamination stacker of this invention is organized about atable 10 which is shown in phantom in FIG. 1. A bracket 12 is supportedon the table 10 and defines a framework on which an increment headassembly 20 is supported. It will be noted from an examination of FIG. 1that the increment head assembly 29 is disposed at an angle of 45 withrespect to the table 10. A base 22, secured to the bracket 12, supportsthe several components of the increment head assembly 20. The mainworking component of the increment head assembly 20 is the incrementhead 24. The increment head 24 is provided with a projection 26 whichdefines a bearing block through which increment head support shaft 28extends. The shaft 28 is supported in pillow blocks 30 mounted on thebase 22. The increment head 24 is a casting, machined to receive a ballscrew 32. The shaft 33 of the ball screw 32 extends along the base 22and terminates in a coupling 34 which connects it to a torque motor 36.The torque motor 36 is secured to a support bracket 38 mounted on thebase 22. The ball screw 32 and shaft 33 are supported by a bearingbracket 40 mounted on the base 22. The ball screw 32 is driven by apiston 42 through a one-way clutch 44 on the shaft 33 of the ball screw32. A stop arm 46 is mounted on the shaft 33 of the ball screw 32between an electrical clutch coupling 48 and a brake 50.

The details of the drive connection between piston 42 and the ball screwshaft 33 are shown in FIGS. ll and 12. The piston 42 is supported in abracket 41 on the base 22. Piston rod 43 of piston 42 has a plunger 45fitted on the end thereof as shown particularly in FIG. 11. A collar 47,keyed to the clutch 44 which is in turn keyed to the ball screw shaft33, has a drive pin 49 fitted in an ear 47a thereof. Drive pin 49 ridesin an elongated slot 45a in plunger 45. Thus when the piston 42 isactuated, the linear displacement of the plunger 45 attached to pistonrod 43 from the solid to the phantom position as shown in FIG. 11 istranslated into rotary movement of the ball screw shaft 33 through thedrive pin 49 and the collar 47. The length of the stroke of the plunger45 and hence the degree of rotation of the ball screw shaft 33 iscontrolled by an adjustable stop 37 which extends through bracket 39attached to base 22. Thus the degree of rotation of the ball screwassembly may be adjusted by resetting the adjustable stop 37.

In the operation of the above-described ball screw assembly (FIG. 1),the piston 42 periodically actuates the ball screw shaft through theone-way clutch 44 to impart a slight rotational movement thereto. Eachincrement of rotational movement of the ball screw 32 effects acorresponding displacement of the increment head 24 downward andforward. The number of increments in any given operating cycle ispredetermined so that, upon completion of the operating cycle, thetorque motor 36 can reset the ball screw 32 back to zero or its normalrest position. Immediately before the torque motor 36 is energized toreset the ball screw 32, the brake 50 is released and the electricalclutch coupling 48 is demagnetized. During the return of the ball screwto its normal rest position, the stop arm 46 on the ball screw shaft 33is also returned to its normal rest position.

The control mechanism associated with the stop arm 46, and the ballscrew shaft 33 on which it is mounted, to insure the accurate return ofthe ball screw assembly to its normal rest position is illustrated indetail in FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the stop arm 46 inits normal rest position abuts a stop block 51 pivotally mounted at 52on the base 22. An electrical switch 53 is mounted on the underside ofthe stop block 51 and its actuating button 54 is normally engaged by astop screw 55 which extends through the stop arm 46. A push rod 56extends between the increment head 24 and the stop block 51, the pushrod being fixedly connected to the increment head and slidable withinthe stop block. The push rod 56 has a collar 57 fixedly secured theretoand normally in abutting engagement with the face of the stop block 51nearer the increment head 24. A tension spring 58, normally loaded inthe rest position as shown in FIG. 10, connects the base 22 to the stopblock 51 and maintains the stop block 51 in engagement with the collar57 on the push rod 56.

The operation of this mechanism will now be described. During eachincrement of rotational movement of the ball screw 32 to effect acorresponding linear displacement of the increment head 24, the stop arm46 which is mounted on the ball screw shaft 33 is displaced in thedirection of the arrows as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Since the stop block51 is connected to the increment head 24 through the mechanism justdescribed, as the increment head 24 is advanced, the tension spring 58will continue to maintain the stop block 51 in engagement with thecollar 57 and thus will displace the stop block 51 in the directionindicated by the arrow in FIG. 10, i.e., counterclockwise, swingingabout its pivot point 52. Thus, when the ball screw assembly has beenrotated through 360, the stop block 51 will have been displaced in acounterclockwise direction sufiiciently to remove it from the paththrough which the stop arm 46 is being caused to move by the rotation ofthe ball screw shaft 33 on which it is mounted.

As noted above in the description of FIG. 1, the torque motor 36 resetsthe ball screw assembly upon the completion of an operating cycle of theapparatus. During this resetting operation, the stop arm 46 rotates in areverse direction and the push rod 56 through the collar 57 thereonreturns the stop block 51 to its normal rest position. Thus as thenormal rest position of the entire assembly is approached, the stopblock 51 will be lying in the path of the stop arm 46 and preventfurther rotation thereof. As the stop arm 46 approaches engagement withthe stop block 51, the stop screw 55 projecting therefrom depresses theactuating button 54 of the electrical switch 53 thereby energizing theswitch. The switch 53 is electrically connected to the torque motor 36and thus controls the torque motor and terminates the return of the ballscrew assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1, a lamination transfer assembly 60 and a laminationholding assembly 79 are organized about the increment head 24. Thelamination transfer assembly 60 (FIG. 4) effects the transfer oflaminations from a lamination forming apparatus (such as lamination 28in FIG. 12 of Biggs et al., 3,096,805) to a lamination stacking table80. The lamination holding assembly 70 receives the individuallaminations from the transfer assembly 60 and holds them in position onthe stacking table during the lamination stacking operation.

The increment head 24 is machined to define a chamber therein for adouble-ended air piston 62 having a forward piston rod 64 and a rearwardpiston rod 66. A pair of depending projections of the increment head 24define bearing blocks 68 for supporting a shaft 72 which extendstherethrough. A switch actuator arm 71 is mounted on the shaft 72between the two bearing blocks 68 and is engageable with a switch 73mounted on one of these bearing blocks 68 as shown in FIG. 1. Aconnector 74 connects the piston rod 64 to the shaft 72 and thusreciprocation of the forward piston rod 64 also effects reciprocation ofthe shaft 72. A jaw holder 76 is attached to the front end of shaft 72.The lamination transfer assembly 60 is supported from this jaw holder 76and will now be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the jaw holder 76 has a pair of elongated slots 78formed therein. Outside jaw legs 82 and 84 and center jaw leg 83 areattached to the jaw holder 76 by fasteners 75, the outside legs beingadjustably mounted through the elongated slots 78. As shown in FIG. 4,the jaw holder 76 is provided with a projecting tongue 77 which, incooperation with the grooves formed in each of the jaw legs, permits thejaw legs to be adjustably displaced laterally on the jaw holder 76.

Outside jaws 86 and 88 (FIGS. 24) are each provided with dowel pins and92 respectively, the dowel pins eing press-fitted within theirrespective jaws to thus provide a means for pivotally supporting thejaws 86 and 88 from the jaw legs 82 and 84 respectively. As shown inFIG. 4, each dowel pin extends through and is rotatable within a bossprovided therefor in its corresponding jaw leg, the upper end of eachdowel pin being provided with a collar 94. A pair of center jaws 87 and89 (FIGS. 2 and 3) are in cooperative relationship with respect tooutside jaws 86 and 88 respectively. The center jaw 87 has a dowel pin91 press-fitted therein and the other center jaw 89 is supportedthereon. The dowel pin 91 extends through and is rotatable within a boreprovided therefor in the center jaw leg 83 and the upper end of thisdowel pin is provided with a collar 93.

A jaw stop (FIGS. 3-4) in the form of a plate 96 is attached to thelower extremity of each of the outside jaw legs 82 and 84. A stop screw98 extends through each of these jaw stops and abuts the tail of theadjacent jaw. A spring 100 connects the tail of the outside jaw and thejaw stop 96 to maintain the tail of the jaw normally abutting the end ofthe stop screw 98. A compression spring 102 spans the space between thecenter jaws 87 and 89 and is seated in pockets provided therefor inthese two members.

The lamination holding assembly 70 will now be described, referencebeing made primarily to FIGS. 1-4.

The lamination holding assembly 70 receives and holds laminationsdelivered to it by the lamination transfer assembly 61 just described.The lamination holding assembly 70 is organized about a base plate 129secured to the bottom of increment head 24 as shown particularly inFIGS. 2 and 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the base plate 129 is providedat its ends with rollers 122, the function and purpose of which will bedescribed below. The top face of the base plate 120 is machined todefine a tongue or fin 121, which, in combination with a locking bar 124which extends across and is secured to the top rear surface of the baseplate 120 by screws 126, defines a channel or groove for accuratelypositioning and securing the base plate 120 to the bottom of theincrement head 24.

Three jaw and piston brackets 127, 128 and 129 (FIGS. 3 and 4) aresecured to the bottom of base plate 120 by screws 130. The base plate120 may be provided with elongated slots similar to the elongated slots78 in jaw holder 76 as shown in FIG. 2, in order to permit adjustment ofthe relative disposition of the brackets 127 and 129 to accommodatearticles of work of different sizes. As shown in FIG. 4, each jaw andpiston bracket is a substantially L-shaped member having a jaw supportedfrom one leg thereof and an air cylinder supported from the other legthereof, both of which will be described in detail below.

There are four holding jaws 132, 133, 134 and 135, each of which isprovided with a boss at its rearward extremity, each boss having a borewithin which a dowel pin 136 is press-fitted. The outside jaws 132 and135 are pivotally supported from their respective brackets 127 and 129.The center holding jaws 133 and 134 are pivotally supported by theirrespective dowel pins 136 on the center bracket 128 as shownparticularly in FIG. 3. Each dowel pin 136 has a collar 138 secured tothe top thereof to retain its associated jaw in its associated bracket.

Air cylinders 14% and 142 are secured to the outside jaw and pistonbrackets 127 and 129 respectively as shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4and air cylinder 141 is secured to the center jaw and piston bracket128. Jaw openers 144 and 146 are secured to the forward end of aircylinders 14% and 142 respectively. Each of these jaw openers 144 and146 is a plate-like member having a pin 144a and 146a respectivelyupstanding on a face thereof. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, thesepins 144:: and 146a normally engage an inclined face of the tail ofholding jaws 132 and 135 respectively. Thus when the air cylinders 14!)and 142 are actuated to advance the jaw openers 144 and 146respectively, the pins 144a and 146a will displace and effect an openingof their respective jaws 132 and 135. On the return stroke of the aircylinders 140 and 142, each of the jaws 132 and 135 is returned to itsnormal closed position by a spring 148, one end of which is connected tothe tail of the jaw and the other end being connected to a screw 158fitted in the corresponding jaw and piston bracket.

A noted above, the center air cylinder 141 is supported by the centerjaw and piston bracket 128. As shown in FIG. 3, a switch 143 is mountedon a switch arm 145 attached to air cylinder 141. A switch-actuatingfinger 147 is mounted on switch 143, overlies switch button 149 andabuts collar 151 on air cylinder piston 1411!. Thus, when the aircylinder 141 is actuated to effect the forward stroke of the piston 141athereof, the finger 147 is deflected and this in turn depresses button149 and operates the switch 143. The center air cylinder 141 is providedwith a jaw opener in the form of a knob 152 which is in engagement withthe inclined faces of the tails of the middle holding jaws 133 and 134.When the air cylinder 141 is actuated to effect forward movementthereof, the jaw opener of knob 152 will displace the center holdingjaws 133 and 134 and cause them to open, pivoting on their respectivedowel pins 136. A

compression spring 154, located directly below compression spring 102 inFIG. 3, spans the center jaws 133 and 134 and is seated in pocketstherein. This spring 154 effects the return of the center holding jaws133 and 134 to their normally closed position with respect to theircorresponding outside jaws 132 and 135 respectively, when the aircylinder piston is retracted and the jaw opener 152 is returned to itsnormal rest position as shown in FIG. 3.

In the foregoing description of FIG. 1, it was pointed out that alamination transfer assembly 60 and a lamination holding assembly 7%)are organized about the increment head 24 and a lamination stackingtable receives and supports the laminations during the stackingoperation. As described above, and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 forexample, the lamination transfer assembly 60 is organized about a jawholder 76 on shaft 72 which is reciprocatively supported in theincrement head 24. As described above, the lamination holding assembly70 is organized about a base plate 126 which is secured to and dependsfrom the increment head 24. As described above in connection with FIG.1, the increment head 24 is supported through bearing block 26 onsupport shaft 28. As noted above in the description of the lami nationholding assembly 70, it was pointed out that the base plate is providedwith rollers 122.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the rollers 122 ride on bearing surfacesprovided therefor on a platform 160. This platform 16%) has a pair ofsupport rods 162 and 164 secured thereto and depending therefrom. Thesesupport rods 162 and 164 extend through and are slidable within guidebrackets 166 and 168 which are in turn secured to a suitable stationarymember. The support rods 162 and 164 are provided at their lowerextremities with spring pins 170. A compression spring 172 connects eachof the spring pins to the guide bracket 168.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lamination stacking table 89has a pair of table supports 174 and 176 secured to the lower facethereof and mounted on a shaft 178 which extends therebetween. The tablesupport 174 is a substantially L-shaped member having a spring pin 181Bprojecting from one leg thereof and having a stop screw 182 extendingthrough the other leg thereof. One end of shaft 178 extends through andis rotatable in the boss portion 184 of bracket 186. A spring pin 188,mounted on a face of bracket 186, supports one end of a spring 198, theother end of the spring being connected to the spring pin 18!). As shownin FIG. 2, the bracket 186 is provided with an elongated slot 192 foradjustably supporting the bracket 186 on a bushing block 194 which isslidable on guide rod 162. A double-action air piston 196 is supportedby and depends from a bracket 198 attached to the platform 160 as shownin FIG. 2. Piston rod 260 projecting from piston 196 extends into and issecured to the lateral projection of bushing block 194. A guide pin 202,projecting laterally from the projection 195 of bushing block 194, ridesin an elongated slot provided therefor in a guide rod 204. The guide rod264 is mounted on a guide rod arm 206 which is secured to support rod162.

In the foregoing description of the lamination transfer assembly 66 andthe lamination holding assembly 70, it was pointed out that the jaws ofthe former transferred laminations to the stacking table 89 and the jawsof the latter held the laminations on the table during the stackingoperation. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, four strippers 208 are provided toeffect disengagement of the lamination transfer jaws from the work aftereach stroke effecting delivery of a lamination to the holding jaws ofthe lamination holding assembly. These strippers 208 are mounted onplatform 160 as shown in FIG. 4, and, as shown in FIG. 3, the forwardedge of each of them lies in the path of a tapered inner edge defining acamming surface which characterizes each of the transfer jaws. Thus, asthe transfer jaws approach the end of their delivery stroke presenting alamination to the holding jaws, the tapered inner edges thereof engagethe strippers 208 which effect the necessary deflection of the transferjaws to cause them to open and release a lamination.

Reference is now made to FIGS. and 6 which are enlarged fragmentarydetails in side elevation of the platform 160 and associated partsincluding particularly the increment head 24, the lamination stackingtable 80 and portions of the lamination transfer assembly 60 and thelamination holding assembly 70. In the foregoing description of FIG. 1,it was pointed out that the increment head assembly 29 is disposed at anangle of 45 to the horizontal. It was also pointed out that the ballscrew shaft 33 was periodically actuated by the piston 42 to impart aslight rotational movement thereto and thus effect a correspondingdisplacement of the increment head 24 downward and forward or to rightas viewed in FIG. 1. It was also noted that the number of increments ofdisplacement in any given operating cycle was predetermined. The purposeand significance of these increments of displacement of the incrementhead 24 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and 6.

Each increment of rotational movement of the ball screw 32 displaces theincrement head 24 in both a horizontal and a vertical plane equal to thethickness of one of the laminations 1 being stacked or nested in orderto permit the lamination transfer assembly 60 and the lamination holdingassembly 70, particularly the jaws thereof to perform their requiredoperations on each succeeding lamination 1 which is being stacked ornested, engaging them at the same relative location each time eventhough the laminations being assembled get progressively smaller duringthe operating cycle. Thus the increment head 24, riding on the platform160 through rollers 122, displaces the platform 160 downwardly, thelamination transfer assembly 60 and the lamination holding assembly 70downwardly and to the right as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, and thelamination stacking table 80 downwardly, a distance equal to thethickness of one lamination 1. The relative disposition of theseapparatus components after one lamination 1 has been positioned on thestacking table 80 is shown in FIG. 5. The relative disposition of thesesame apparatus components after eight laminations have been assembled isshown in FIG. 6; they have been displaced in increments equal to thethickness of each lamination. This relative displacement is illustratedparticularly with respect to one of the rollers 122, the FIG. 5 locusthereof being shown in phantom in FIG. 6 and the line A-B illustratingthe direction and extent of the displacement.

As indicated above in the introductory paragraphs, the apparatus of thisinvention is designed primarily to stack automatically the mating C-typecore laminations fabricated automatically on the apparatus disclosed anddescribed in the co-pending application of O. H. Biggs et al., SerialNo. 764,588 filed October 1, 1958, now U.S. Patent 3,096,805. Asdescribed in that application, each lamination is formed with one leg ofthe C longer than the other and the laminations are assembled with thelong and short legs located alternately on both sides of the Csubstantially as shown on sheet 1 of the referenced co-pendingapplication and in FIG. 6 of this application.

In order to automatically stack the laminations in this manner, meansmust be provided to automatically adjust the length of stroke of thelamination transfer assembly 60 to give it a long and a short stroke tocorrespond respectively with the short and the long adjacent legs ofeach two stacked laminations. The difference in the length of the longand short strokes is a function of the difference in length of adjacentlong and short legs. The means employed to elfect this operationautomatically is shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8.

The means employed to effect automatic adjustment of the length of thestroke of the lamination transfer assembly 60 is identified by thegeneral reference number 220 'in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, theassembly 220 comprises a switch 222 mounted on a side face of theincrement head 24 and an air cylinder 224 associated therewith, both inturn being disposed in cooperative relationship with respect to therearward piston rod 66 of the double ended air piston 62.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air cylinder 224 issupported on a bracket 226 which is attached to the increment head 24.The piston rod 225 of the air cylinder 224 projects downwardly andfreely through the bracket 226 and has a piston rod block 228 secured tothe end thereof. The piston rod block 228 has a dowel pin 230 fittedtherein and projecting laterally from a side face thereof. A compressionspring 232 is supported by and extends between bracket 226 and pin 23%.A spacer plate 234 is supported on the pin 230 which extends through aface thereof. The lower longitudinal edge of the spacer plate 234 ismachined to provide a cut-out 235 to provide clearance for the pistonrod 66 when the spacer plate 234 is moved downwardly by the air cylinder224 through its piston rod 225, piston rod block 228 and dowel pin 230.During reciprocation of the air cylinder piston rod 225, the piston rodblock 228 moves within a channel provided therefor by the legs of asubstantially U-shaped piston block guide 236. This guide 236 issupported in spaced relationship from the increment head 24 by a spacerblock 238. The piston block guide 236 has a pair of pins 240 projectinglaterally from the legs thereof and through elongated slots 242 formedin the spacer plate 234. Collars 244 are fitted on the projecting endsof these pins 240. This pin and slot arrangement insures stability ofthe spacer plate 234 during reciprocation thereof by the air cylinder224.

As shown in FIG. 8, a piston rod stop 246 is secured to the piston rod66 near the rearward end thereof. Each leg of the piston block guide 236has a spring 248 attached thereto and depending therefrom and, as shownin FIG. 8, is normally biased away from engagement with the actuatingbutton 223 of the switch 222. This spring arrangement is provided inorder to prevent premature engagement of the button 223 by the spacerplate 234 when it moves from the solid to the phantom position as shownin FIG. 8. Thus, during the forward stroke of the piston rod 66, thepiston rod stop 246 which is mounted thereon will either engage thespring 248 or the spacer plate 234 and, as the forward stroke continues,the actuating button 223 will be depressed within its housing to actuatethe switch 222.

As pointed out above in connection particularly with the description ofFIGS. 2 and 4, the lamination stacking table is supported ultimately ona bushing block 194 which is slidable on guide rod 162. It was alsonoted that the piston rod 200 of the double-action air piston 196 isconnected to the bushing block 194. Reference is now made to FIGURE 13which illustrates the manner in which the lamination stacking table 80is displaced by the piston 196 to discharge therefrom a complete core 3which comprises a plurality of laminations 1 nested in one another bythe apparatus of this invention. When the desired number of laminations1 have been nested to define a complete core 3, the piston 196 isactuated to effect a downward stroke of the piston rod 200. Since, asnoted above, the piston rod 200 is connected to the bushing block 194which is the ultimate support of the table 80, the downward stroke ofthe piston rod 200 causes the entire table assembly to move downwardly,the bushing block 194 being guided in this downward movement by guidepin 202 which rides in slot 204 in guide rod 204. As the table assemblymoves downwardly the free or right hand end of the table 80 as viewed inFIG- URE 13 strikes a post 250 which lies in its path. As the tableassembly continues its downward movement, the post 250 causes the table80 to tilt, pivoting about the shaft 178, until the table assemblyassumes the position shown in phantom in FIG. 13. With the table 80 sotilted, the completed core 3 slides therefrom and along a chute 252 ontoconveyor 254. The chute 252 is secured to a chute support 256 mounted onthe conveyor support 258. The post 256 is also mounted on the conveyorsupport 258. During the later portion of the return stroke of the pistonrod 280 which effects a return of the table assembly, the spring 190returns the table 8% to its normal horizontal position where it ismaintained by engagement of the stop screw 182 with bracket 186.

It will be noted in FIG. 13 that a switch 269 is mounted on the conveyorsupport 258 and the switchactuating arm 262 lies in the path of bushingblock 194. Thus, as the bushing block 194 approaches the end of itsdownward stroke, it deflects the arm 262 and energizes the switch 260.Energization of switch 26% effects energization of torque motor 36(FIG. 1) to reset the ball screw assembly.

An operatim cycle of the lamination stacking apparatus will now bedescribed. In the introductory paragraphs it was noted that the specificembodiment of the apparatus of this invention was designed primarily tooperate in cooperative relationship with the lamination formingapparatus illustrated and described in the copending application of O,H. Biggs et al., Serial No. 764,588, now US. Patent 3,096,805. In thatapplication, means are shown and described for fabricating C-typelaminations from strip stock with automatic means for effecting sizechanges from one lamination to another as they are formed in order tomake possible the nesting of succeeding laminations. Thus the mostpractical way in which to schedule an operating cycle of the laminationnesting or stacking apparatus is to relate it to the operating cycle ofthe lamination forming apparatus.

As described in the referenced co-pending application, the operatingcycle of the lamination forming apparatus comprises a first feed, afirst bend, a second feed, a second bend, a third feed and a shear tothereby fabricate a C-type lamination having three legs formed at rightangles to one another. At the end of the second feed, a signal goes tothe lamination stacking apparatus to initiate an operating cycle thereofas well as to the second bend to effect that operation. Moreparticularly, the signal to the lamination stacking apparatus toinitiate an operating cycle thereof goes to the air piston 62 disposedwithin the increment head 24 (FIG. 1) to actuate it and thus advance thelamination transfer assembly 60 and displace the jaws thereof from thesolid to the phantom position as shown in FIG. 4. By the time thelamination transfer assembly 68 has reached the forward end of itsstroke, the second bend and third feed of the lamination formingapparatus has been effected so that the jaws of the transfer assemblyare able to engage and grip the formed lamination. The length of theforward stroke of the transfer assembly 69 is regulated by the switch222 (FIGS. 1, 7 and 8), the forward stroke being terminated when stop246 on piston rod 66 depresses switch actuating button 223 and thusterminates the compressed air flow to piston 62. This energization ofswitch 222 also signals the shear mechanism of the lamination formingapparatus and actuates it to thereby complete the fabrication of athree-legged lamination. When shearing is effected, a switch associatedwith the shearing mechanism signals the air piston 62 and effects areturn of the transfer assembly 68, the jaws thereof carrying alamination 1 with them across the stacking table 80 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4).As the transfer assembly 60 nears the end of its return stroke, thetransfer jaws are deflected sufficiently by strippers 288 (FIG. 3) toopen them and release the lamination. The strippers 268 also serve as astop or fixed bearing surface to insure positive positioning of thelamination on the stacking table 80.

lid

As the transfer jaws approach the end of their return stroke carrying alamination with them, the lamination deflects the holding jaws of thelamination holding assembly 78 sufficiently to permit the holding jawsto grip the lamination once it seats against the strippers 208 as shownin FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 1 and as described above, the shaft 72 is connectedthrough connector 74 to piston rod 64 of air piston 62. It was alsonoted in connection therewith that a switch actuator arm '71 is mountedon the shaft 72 and is disposed in cooperative relationship with respectto a switch 73 mounted on and depending from one of the bearing blocks68 of the increment head 24. Thus as the lamination transfer assembly 69approaches the end of its return stroke transferring a lamination to itsproper position on the stacking table 89, the arm 71 trips the switch 73and signals air piston 42 to effect actuation thereof. Actuation of airpiston 42 effects an increment of rotation of ball screw shaft 33through the mechanism shown in detail in FIG. 11. As described above,particularly in connection with the description of FIGS. 5 and 6, eachincrement of rotation of the ball screw shaft 33 displaces the incrementhead 24 through the ball screw 32 downward and forward a distance eachequal to the thickness of the strip stock of which the laminations areformed. Since, as described above, the lamination transfer assembly 60and the lamination holding assembly 70 are connected to and supportedfrom the increment head 24, they are similarly displaced. Since, asdescribed above, the increment head 24 rides on rollers 122 on platform166, and the lamination stacking table 89 is supported indirectly fromthe platform 16%, each increment of rotation of the ball screw shaft 33also causes the stacking table to move downwardly a distance equal tothe thickness of the strip stock of which the laminations are formed.The lamination stacking apparatus is now ready to receive a secondlamination, smaller in size than the first and which will nest insidethe first.

The second lamination is formed in a manner similar to the manner inwhich the first lamination was formed, i.e., the operating cyclecomprises a first feed, a first bend, a second feed, a second bend, athird feed and a shear, the shear not being effected until after thelamination transfer assembly 60 has advanced and the jaws thereofgripped the newly formed lamination. The succeedin' steps in the secondoperating cycle of the lamination stacking apparatus are similar tothose effected during the first operating cycle as described above.

There is however one significant difference in successive operatingcycles of the lamination stacking apparatus and it relates to the lengthof the third leg of the lamination being formed, i.e., the leg formed bythe third feed. As noted above and in the referenced co-pendingapplication, corresponding third legs of successive laminations arealternately short and long. As described above, particularly inconnection with the description of FIGS. 7 and 8, the increment head 24is provided with means for automatically alternating the length ofstroke of the lamination transfer assembly 69 so that the long strokethereof is related to the formation of a short leg and the short strokethereof is related to the formation of a long leg. This automaticadjustment of the length of the stroke of the lamination transferassembly is accomplished by inserting spacer plate 234 (FIG. 8) betweenstop 246 and switch button 223 as shown in phantom, on alternatestrokes. This insertion of plate 234 effectively results in a shorterstroke of the lamination transfer assembly 69 since it causesenergization of switch 222 sooner and switch 222 regulates the length ofthe forward stroke by terminating it. Displacement of the spacer plate234 from the solid to the phantom position in FIG. 8 is effected by aircylinder 224, actuation of which is regulated by suitable controls onthe lamination forming apparatus associated with the means employed toform succeeding laminations with corresponding long and short legs.

The lamination forming apparatus includes a counter which may be set sothat any desired number of laminations may be fabricated. For example,if a core is to be provided with ten laminations, the counter is set atten and, after the tenth lamination has been fabricated, circuitrycontrolled by the counter resets the lamination forming apparatus backto zero or normal rest or starting position. This same counter isemployed as the control to trigger zeroing or resetting circuitry toreturn the lamination stacking apparatus back to its normal rest orstarting position. The counting done by the counter is related to theshear operation, i.e., it counts the number of shears. Thus, in theexample just cited, when the tenth shear has been made, the countertriggers the zeroing circuitry to reset the lamination formingapparatus. At the same time, i.e., after the tenth shear has been made,the counter switches the power from the run or incrementing circuitry tothe zeroing circuitry of the lamination stacking apparatus. Thus, whenthe lamination transfer apparatus 60 returns with the tenth laminationand the switch actuating arm 71 depresses the switch button and actuatesthe switch 73, which is now powered by the zeroing circuitry, piston 62is again actuated to advance the lamination transfer assembly 60, thisstroke thereof being effected to faciiitate discharge of the core justformed.

As the transfer assembly reaches the end of its forward stroke, the stop246 on piston rod 66 (FIGS. 1 and 8) strikes switch button 223 toactuate switch 222 which is now powered by the zeroing circuitry.Closing of the circuit through switch 222 effects actuation of aircylinders 140, 141 and 142 (FIG. 3) to displace their respective pistonsand thus open the holding jaws 132,

133, 134 and 135 of the lamination holding assembly 7ti. Thisdisplacement of the piston 141a of the air cylinder 141 also effectsdeflection of finger 147 to close the circuit through switch 143 andthus actuate piston 1% (FIG. 13) to lower the stacking table 80 andrelease the completed core 3 to the chute 252 and then the conveyor 254.

When the stacking table 8!) reaches its lowest point, it actuates switch260 (FIG. 13). This causes actuation of piston 62 to return thelamination transfer assembly 64 and actuation of pistons 140, 141 and142 to return the jaws of the lamination holding assembly 70. Actuationof switch 260 also initiates the return of the increment head assembly20 (FIG. 1). Closing of the zeroing circuitry through switch 269demagnetizes the clutch coupling 48 (FIG. 1), releases brake t) andenergizes torque motor 36 to effect a reverse rotation of ball screwshaft 33 to return it and the several major apparatus components to zeroor normal starting position. Thus the ball screw 32 returns theincrement head 24, and the increment head 24 returns both the laminationtransfer assembly 66 and the lamination holding assembly 7% since theyare both supported therefrom. During the return of the increment head24, the platform 160 on which the increment head 24 rides is returned bythe springs 172 (FIG. 2) and finally the piston 196 (FIGS. 2 and 13) isactuated to return the lamination stacking table 80. The laminationstacking apparatus is now ready to start assembling a new set oflaminations to provide another core.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for nesting C-type electromagnetic inductor corelaminations comprising: a nesting table; a platform from which saidnesting table is supported; an increment head riding on said platform; alamination transfer assembly reciprocatively supported from saidincrement head and including transfer jaws movable over said table; alamination holding assembly supported from said increment head andincluding holding jaws disposed adjacent to said transfer jaws; meansfor reciprocating said lamination transfer assembly to advance saidtransfer jaws to obtain a lamination and to return therewith, deliveringthe lamination to said nesting table and to said holding jaws of saidlamination holding assembly; cam means on said head adapted to operatesaid holding jaws; means on said platform adapted to operate saidtransfer jaws; and means for displacing said increment head, after eachreciprocation of said lamination transfer assembly, simultaneously inboth a horizontal and a vertical plane a distance equal to the thicknessof a lamination whereby said lamination transfer assembly and saidlamination holding assembly, both supported therefrom, are similarlydisplaced and said platform on which said increment head rides isdisplaced in the vertical plane a distance equal to the thickness of alamination to similarly displace said nesting table supported therefrom,whereby the loci of the nesting table, the transfer jaws and the holdingjaws with respect to one another and the laminations being assembled issuch that nesting of successive laminations may be effected.

2. Apparatus for nesting C-type electromagnetic inductor corelaminations comprising: a nesting table; a platform from which saidnesting table is supported; an increment head riding on said platform; alamination transfer assembly reciprocatively supported from saidincrement head and including transfer jaws movable over said table;means for reciprocating said lamination transfer assembly to advance thetransfer jaws to obtain a lamination and to return therewith deliveringthe lamination to said nesting table; control means to alternately varythe stoke of said transfer jaws between a first and a second length;coacting cam means mounted on said head and said platform to operatesaid transfer jaws; and means for displacing said increment head, aftereach reciprocation of said lamination transfer assembly, simultaneouslyin both a horizontal and a vertical plane a distance equal to thethickness of a lamination whereby said lamination transfer assemblysupported therefrom is similarly displaced and said platform on whichsaid increment head rides is displaced in the vertical plane a distanceequal to the thickness of a lamination to similarly displace saidnesting table supported therefrom, whereby the loci of the nesting tableand the transfer jaws with respect to one another and the laminationsbeing assembled is such that nesting of successive laminations may beeffected.

3. Apparatus for nesting C-type electromagnetic inductor corelaminations having three legs formed at right angles to one another withat least one corresponding leg of successive laminations beingalternately long and short, said apparatus comprising: a nesting table;a platform from which said nesting table is supported; an increment headriding on said platform; a lamination transfer assembly reciprocativelysupported from said increment head and including transfer jaws movableover said table; means for reciprocating said lamination transferassembly to advance the transfer jaws to obtain a lamination and toreturn therewith delivering the lamination to said nesting table;coacting cam means mounted on said head and said platform to operatesaid transverse jaws, means for automatically effecting a change in thelength of stroke of said lamination transfer assembly for eachsuccessive lamination to thereby provide for the transfer of successivelaminations in which at least one corresponding leg is alternately longand short; and means for displacing said increment head, after eachreciprocation of said lamination transfer assembly, simultaneously inboth a horizontal and a vertical plane a distance equal to the thicknessof a lamination whereby said lamination transfer assembly supportedtherefrom is similarly displaced and said platform on which saidincrement head rides is displaced in the vertical plane a distance equalto the thickness of a lamination to similarly displace said nestingtable supported therefrom, whereby the loci of the nesting table and thetransfer jaws with respect to one another and the laminations beingassembly is such that nesting of successive laminations may be effected.

4. Apparatus for nesting C-type electromagnetic inductor corelaminations having three legs formed at right angles to one another withat least one corresponding leg of successive laminations beingalternately long and short, said apparatus comprising: a nesting table;a platform from which said nesting table is supported; an increment headriding on said platform; a lamination transfer assembly reciprocativelysupported from said increment head and including transfer jaws movableover said table; a lamination holding assembly supported from saidincrement head and including holding jaws disposed adjacent to saidtransfer jaws; means for reciprocating said lamination transfer assemblyto advance said transfer jaws to obtain a lamination and to returntherewith, delivering the lamination to said nesting table and to saidholding jaws of said lamination holding assembly; means forautomatically effecting a change in the length of stroke of saidlamination transfer assembly for each successive lamination to therebyprovide for the transfer of successive larninations in which at leastone corresponding leg is alternately long and short; and means fordisplacing said increment head, after each reciprocation of saidlamination transfer assembly, simultaneously in both a horizontal and avertical plane a distance equal to the thickness of a lamination wherebysaid lamination transfer assembly and said lamination holding assembly,both supported therefrom, are similarly displaced and said platform onwhich said increment head rides is displaced in the vertical plane adistance equal to the thickness of a lamination to similarly displacesaid nesting table supported therefrom, whereby the loci of the nestingtable, the transfer jaws and the holding jaws with respect to oneanother and the laminations being assembled is such that nesting ofsuccessive lamination may be elfected.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,609,108 9/1952Peterson et a1.

2,725,992 12/1955 Wells 2147 2,768,756 10/1956 Horman 2146 2,988,2376/1961 Devol 214-11 3,115,262 12/1963 Avery 214654 GERALD M. FORLENZA,Primary Examiner.

MORRIS T EMIN, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR RESTING C-TYPE ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTOR CORELAMINATIONS COMPRISING: A NESTING TABLE; A PLATFORM FROM WHICH SAIDNESTING TABLE IS SUPPORTED; AN INCREMENT HEAD RIDING ON SAID PLATFORM; ALAMINATION TRANSFER ASSEMBLY RECIPROCABLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID INCREMENTHEAD AND INCLUDING TRANSFER JAWS MOVABLE OVER SAID TABLE; LAMINATIONHOLDING ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID INCREMENT HEAD AND INCLUDINGHOLDING JAWS DISPOSED ADJACENT TO SAID TRANSFER JAWS; MEANS FORRECIPROCATING SAID LAMINATION TRANSFER ASSEMBLY TO ADVANCE SAID TRANSFERJAWS TO OBTAIN A LAMINATION AND TO RETURN THEREWITH, DELIVERING THELAMINATION TO SAID NESTING TABLE AND TO SAID HOLDING JAWS OF SAIDLAMINATION HOLDING ASSEMBLY; CAM MEANS ON SAID HEAD ADAPTED TO OPERATESAID HOLDING JAWS; MEANS ON SAID PLATFORM ADAPTED TO OPERATE SAIDTRANSFER JAWS; AND MEANS FOR DISPACING SAID INCREMENT HEAD, AFTER EACHRECIPROCATION OF SAID LAMINATION TRANSFER ASSEMBLY, SIMULTANEOUSLY INBOTH A HORIZONTAL AND A VERTICAL PLANE A DISTANCE EQUAL TO THE THICKNESSOF A LAMINATION WHEREBY SAID LAMINATION TRANSFER ASSEMBLY AND SAIDLAMINATION HOLDING ASSEMBLY, BOTH SUPPORTED THEREFROM, ARE SIMILARLYDISPLACED AND SAID PLATFORM ON WHICH SAID INCREMENT HEAD RIDES ISDISPLACED IN THE VERTICAL PLANE A DISTANCE EQUALL TO THE THICKNESS OF ALAMINATION TO SIMILARLY DISPLACE SAID NESTING TABLE SUPPORTED THEREFROM,WHEREBY THE LOCI OF THE NESTING TABLE, THE TRANSFER JAWS AND THE HOLDINGJAWS WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER AND THE LAMINATIONS BEING ASSEMBLED INSUCH THAT NESTING OF SUCCESSIVE LAMINATIONS MAY BE EFFECTED.